New into old: BMW reproduces the cult car of the 1970s

Munich. The "cult car" label is a popular one and frequently bestowed. But
there's one car that really does merit this epithet: few models embody the
spirit of the early 1970s like the BMW 2002. It is this zeitgeist phenomenon
that BMW Mobile Tradition is now reproducing with the aid of new parts. And the
best thing about it is that visitors to the BMW Museum at the Olympic Tower can
follow its progress on a daily basis thanks to the museum's "Glass Workshop".

In the beginning was a number
The background situation that inspired the project is the fact that Mobile
Tradition, the heritage division of the BMW Group, is now able to provide an
estimated 90 percent of all spare parts required for the BMW 2002. That
constitutes an outstanding parts supply record for this recent classic, which
can, incidentally, be viewed on the Internet at www.bmwmobiletradition.de. The
idea of reconstructing a BMW 2002 developed rapidly. The core of the project is
an original bodyshell from the '70s. The small number of spare parts not
available from the Mobile Tradition range are being taken from a donor car or
remanufactured by hand. With the erection of the Glass Workshop on the premises
of the BMW Museum Exhibition next to the Olympic Tower, moreover, the perfect
venue for the task has been found: for the 250,000 or so visitors who come here
annually, it offers a unique opportunity to track the car's construction live.
Should the BMW 2002 tii ever have to be taken out of the Glass Workshop for
specialist work, there will be an immediate suitable replacement on the
hydraulic ramp in the shape of a BMW 3.0 CSL undergoing restoration. Scheduled
to continue until the end of the year, the project is in the expert hands of
master mechanic Arthur Heimann and the head of the BMW Group Mobile Tradition
workshop, Klaus Kutscher. Arthur Heimann will be using several thousand
Original BMW spare parts to build a new car more than 30 years old.

Cult car - cult colour
This new four-wheeler, model year 1973, will be equipped with a strong heart: a
2.0-litre four-cylinder engine generating 130 bhp is to be implanted into the
BMW 2002 tii. In the era of the Beetle, a top speed of 190 km/h with moderate
consumption of 9 litres/100 km was a highly commendable figure. A zero to 100
km/h acceleration time of 9.4 seconds drove tears of delight to the eyes of
family men and them straight to the sales office of their nearest BMW dealer.
The dream car came with a price tag of DM 14,400. The "historical hue" of the
day was reflected in the range of paintwork colours available: verona, golf and
colorado were among the bright finishes on offer, but the hallmark shade of the
day was inka - a strong orange. And it is this colour that has been chosen for
the BMW 2002 tii currently under construction and destined to be a true shining
jewel of the 1970s.

Summer celebrations with workshop visit
At 7 p.m. on 30th July, a big summer party and film night will be held on the
grounds of the BMW Museum Exhibition. It is a chance to take a look at the
progress being made on the BMW 2002 tii. Admission is free. Arthur Heimann will
be delighted to discuss the BMW 2002 with any "petrol heads", and the
combination of food, drink and music promises an entertaining summer evening.
Films featuring this year's anniversary models - the BMW 3 Series (30 years)
and the BMW GS (25 years) - round off the programme. The event is scheduled to
wind down at around 1 a.m. in the morning. The BMW Museum Exhibition is on the
Spiridon-Louis-Ring and thus right next to the Olympic Tower. Regular opening
times are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.